SIDEBAR Fall 2021 - 20

MONTGOMERY B AR .O R G
The Equity Stop
The Robert E. Slota, Jr. Summer 1L
Diversity Program: The Promise of
a Truly Bright Future
By Nancy O. Walsh, Special Consultant to the MBA
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The MBA's Robert E. Slota, Jr. Summer 1L Diversity Program
has been a key component of its commitment to fostering a more
diverse and inclusive association and legal profession for 13 years.
The program has continued to expand its reach and vision, with
a steady mission to provide opportunities for historically underrepresented
students and a hope that they will return to practice
law and share their talents with the Montgomery County legal
community as soon as they complete their law school journeys.
With Covid-restrictions still in force, the program returned
for a second year of a predominantly online format, but there
were certainly no restrictions on opportunities or enthusiasm
from the students or the MBA family.
This year, the two-tiered
program provided 9 paid internships to first-year law students,
who participated in the 8-week online workshop/networking
component of the program as well. One additional first-year law
student and 8 undergraduate/pre-law students also participated in
these workshops, which included presentations from judges and
attorneys, a writing workshop, mock interviews and more. In
addition, each participant was paired with a mentor (members of
the MBA Leadership Academy) and a writing mentor (members
of the MBA community). The program ended with an inperson
closing reception and award ceremony, at which the sense
of excitement was palpable as students, host firms, sponsors,
volunteers, judges, friends, and family connected and celebrated a
wonderful summer as well as the promise of a truly bright future.
In addition to its commitment to developing opportunities for
talented students like this year's program participants, the MBA
continues to provide scholarships and financial support to these
future leaders of the profession. This year, generous host firms and
sponsors made it possible for the MBA to provide nearly $40,000
in paid internships and $14,500 in scholarship awards.
Thank you to all our host firms, sponsors, mentors, writing
mentors, interviewers, presenters, other volunteers, and MBA
staff for demonstrating what makes the MBA the very best there
is. Planning for next year's adventure is already underway, and we
need you to make it even better. If you are interested in hosting,
sponsoring, presenting, mentoring, recruiting, or helping in any
way, please contact Nancy Walsh at nancy@tbdnowllc.com.
20 SIDEBAR
http://montgomerybar.org
SIDEBAR Fall 2021

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